The new customer service centers supporting John Deere’s forest machinery business will open in 2020 in Perth, Scotland; Ockelbo, Sweden; and Laukaa, Finland. The investments will improve the geographical scope of our customer service and the efficiency of customer service.

Construction work on the approx. 9000 m² plot in Perth, Scotland, has already started. The new customer service center will also serve the road construction machinery customers of Wirtgen, a company fully owned by John Deere. The new 1300+ m2 building will house a four-bay machine repair shop, a wash station, a spare parts and accessories store, a spare parts warehouse, a conference room and social facilities for employees. The plot will also have a cold storage and space for new and used machines. This is a growth investment, so customer service will also remain at the current facility in Carlisle, England.

The new customer service center in Ockelbo, Sweden, will replace the previous facility in Alfta. Construction of the new 1250 m² facility will start in June 2019 and will be completed in early 2020. Moving the location to Ockelbo will help the new center to provide service to customers beyond the Alfta area in Sweden. The center will have a four-bay machine repair shop, a wash station, a spare parts and accessories store, a spare parts warehouse, and a conference room and social facilities for employees. The approx. 13,000 m² plot will also have a cold storage and space for new and used machines.

The plot in Laukaa, Finland, is 10,000 m2, and the customer service center will exceed 1,100 m2. All functions from the current Suolahti site will be moved to Laukaa. The center will also have a four-bay machine repair shop, a wash station, a spare parts and accessories store, a spare parts warehouse, and a conference room and social facilities for employees. There will also be a cold storage and space for new and used machines. Construction of the center has started with the earthmoving work, and the actual construction will begin in autumn 2019.

“The central locations of the new customer service centers and the modern facilities will enable more comprehensive and efficient spare parts, maintenance and training services for our customers. Occupational safety, ergonomics and wellbeing for our own employees have been a priority in the planning of the investments. A better customer experience and higher customer satisfaction will also be visible in our machine sales in these regions,” notes Janne Märkälä, General Manager, Europe Sales Operations.

Further information:
Elina Suuriniemi
John Deere Forestry Oy
Tel. +358 400 466 476
SuuriniemiElina@JohnDeere.com

Global trade of wood pellets jumped more than 21% year-over-year in 2018 when a new record of 22.3 million tons was shipped, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review. The five major pellet exporting countries (the US, Canada, Vietnam, Latvia, and Russia) have remained the top exporters for over five years. They accounted for about 69% of the world’s export volume in 2018.

Following the “big five” in 2018 were Estonia, Austria, Malaysia, Denmark and Germany, in descending order. Pellet production in the US South continued at record pace in, driven by a European move away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy. From the 1Q/18 to the 4Q/18, exports from the region were up almost 50%, further manifesting US’s role as the world’s largest producer and exporter of wood pellets, reports the NAWFR. The United States ships practically all its pellets to three countries: the United Kingdom, Belgium and Denmark. Only a small share of the pellet production in the US is consumed domestically.

Demand for imported pellets in Japan and South Korea continued a three-year growth trend in the 4Q/18 when import volumes reached new record highs of 339,000 tons and 993,000 tons, respectively. In 2018, the total annual import volume for the two countries was just over 4.5 million tons, more than doubling in just two years. With the increased trade, prices for pellets landed in both Japan and South Korea have moved upward over the past three years.

In the 4Q/18, the price for pellets imported to Japan averaged $182/ton, up almost six percent from the 4Q/17. Pellet import prices to South Korea, which were nominally lower than those in Japan, rose almost 25 percent during the same period. The lower average cost for South Korea can be explained by that country’s reliance on pellets from low-cost countries in nearby Vietnam and Malaysia. This is unlike Japan, whose major pellet supplier is British Columbia, a more expensive producer of high-quality FSC and SFI certified pellets.

Source: Wood Resources International LLC, www.WoodPrices.com

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) released the ABARES National Wood Processing Survey: 2016–17 report on Thursday 13 June 2019. Although maybe already out of date (it does though provide broad trends over a ten-year period), key findings from the survey include;

ABARES estimates that a total of 299 mills (excluding value-add only) operated in 2016–17, comprising 182 hardwood sawmills, 58 softwood sawmills, 23 wood-based panel mills, 19 post and pole mills and 17 cypress pine sawmills.

The number of sawmills in Australia has decreased significantly since 2006–07, with hardwood sawmills decreasing by 64 per cent and softwood and cypress pine sawmills by 31 per cent. The volume of hardwood and softwood sawlogs harvested for domestic processing has also decreased by 38 per cent and 2 per cent, respectively, over the same period. However, the decline in mill numbers has slowed since 2012–13 and total sawlog processing volumes have increased.

In 2016–17, a total of 10.63 million cubic metres of sawlogs was processed in Australian sawmills, which comprised 1.91 million cubic metres of hardwood sawlogs, 8.58 million cubic metres of softwood sawlogs and 147,000 cubic metres of cypress pine sawlogs.

A total of 4.71 million cubic metres of sawnwood was produced in 2016–17, comprising 742,000 cubic metres of hardwood sawnwood, 3.91 million cubic metres of softwood sawnwood and 57,000 cubic metres of cypress pine sawnwood. In 2016–17 an estimated 280,000 cubic metres of posts and poles and 1.79 million cubic metres of wood-based panels was produced.

An estimated AU$2.48 billion of revenue was generated in 2016–17 from the sale of sawnwood processed in Australia, comprising AU$930 million from hardwood sawnwood sales and AU$1.55 billion from softwood sawnwood sales.

ABARES estimates that Australia’s sawmills and post and pole mills employed 8,029 people in 2016–17, of which around 89 per cent were full-time workers (including managers and owners). Males accounted for around 90 per cent of the workforce. Wood-based panel mills employed a total of 2,390 people in 2016–17.

Source: ABARES

Timberlink continues to significantly invest into its Tarpeena sawmill as it transforms into an internationally competitive radiata pine business. The company is investing AU$90 million over the next 3 years to secure local jobs in the region for the next generation, this is in addition to the significant spend that has already taken place at the mill since Timberlink’s takeover in 2013.

Key to the early stages of the project is the construction of a new electrical substation for the town of Tarpeena. This is expected to improve the reliability of electricity supply for the township with all new hardware, modern design features and more reliable components.

The mill upgrade, to be completed in 2021, will increase both the volume of renewable plantation pine logs that can be processed and the yield per log. This will transform the mill into a workplace of the future, with high tech machinery improving accuracy, safety and job security. Timberlink is committed to training and upskilling our staff to run the new machinery and there will be no job losses as a result of the upgrade.

Around 20% of Australia’s softwood timber is imported, and to ensure Timberlink remains internationally competitive, the business is expanding and investing in new technologies to improve efficiency and create more structural timber for the domestic market. The investment includes a completely new saw line, the installation of a new stacker and edger, coupled with addition of a contraflow kiln and a new batch kiln for drying timber. A new drying shed will also be built as part of the project.

The Timberlink Tarpeena mill supports 680 direct and indirect jobs in the area whilst contributing over AU$180m to the local economy. This generational investment will create 200 jobs in the construction phase and secure the 210 permanent full-time jobs at the mill for the next generation. The AU$90m Tarpeena upgrade project will source the best technology from around Australia and the globe to ensure that Timberlink remains an essential supplier to the construction industry in Australia, whilst securing jobs and futures for many families in the Mt Gambier region.

Source: Timberlink

Tigercat has announced that Nick Cate has been appointed to the position of product support representative for Australia.

Based in Perth, Cate will focus on providing after-sales technical and operational support to Tigercat’s growing customer base in Western Australia.

He previously worked for New Zealand Tigercat dealer, AB Equipment, as a field service technician and has a strong background in engine reconditioning. Cate has a variety of practical experience with the Tigercat product-line and has completed Tigercat training related to skidders, harvesters, track carriers and forwarders.

“Nick brings excellent hands-on technical skills to the Tigercat team with experience that will help us support and grow Tigercat’s customer base in Western Australia. Nick is a valuable addition to the support team and we are very happy to have him onboard,” says Glen Marley, Tigercat district manager for Australia and New Zealand.

After recently visiting the Tigercat factory Nick appreciates how Tigercat cares for its employees and how the company takes that same care all the way to its customers in the field. Nick explains why he is excited to work for Tigercat stating, “Tigercat is one of the superior brands in the forestry world. The company is always trying to improve, and takes customer ideas seriously.”

At SkogsNolia 2019, Komatsu Forest launched an upgraded product range, with the majority of the machines new 2020 models. The machines are equipped with a brand-new engine installation conforming to the latest emission legislation. The new, future-proof control system, MaxiXT, was also launched.

Alongside these, the company presented a number of quality improvements and new functions to simplify day-to-day tasks for machine operators and to increase profitability. These include the new MaxiVision service, which takes production planning to a whole new level.

All 2020 harvester models have been upgraded, from the agile Komatsu 901 thinning harvester through the bestselling eight-wheel Komatsu 931XC to the stately Komatsu 951. Among the forwarders, the three largest – the Komatsu 855, 875 and 895 models – have been upgraded.

One standout feature is the brand-new engine installation, which conforms to the latest emission legislation (Stage V). It also offers many other benefits, such as an all-new AdBlue system, a new exhaust system and hydraulic tappets. Despite the new, larger engine installation, the machine boasts the same slim design with good all-round visibility and views – right down to the wheels.

Another new announcement is the MaxiXT control system, the machine’s nervous system, controlling everything from the engine to the crane and the head. In connection with this, the Automatic Central Lubrication option is now integrated with MaxiXT, making it easy to monitor from the cab. What’s more, on harvesters the grease tank has been doubled in size, meaning less refilling for the operator. MaxiXT brings with it improved anti-theft measures as the operator must log in to the system to start the machine, or else use a remote key with a unique operator ID.

Yet another added feature is the ability to record signal sequences to send to support, for simpler and speedier troubleshooting.

As for the forwarders, they have been upgraded in a number of areas. Smaller but important details, such as better wear plates on the front blade, longer wiper blades on the side windows and less reflection from the gate. A much-requested new forwarder feature is the SpeedShift option – a smart solution that enables the operator to use the machine’s full speed range without having to stop to change gear. This makes travelling to the landing faster and, as the collapsible steering wheel has been replaced with a handy mini steering wheel, driving there is also more straightforward.

Another new addition is the Overspeed Protection option, protecting key transmission components from over-revving.

On the harvesters, offroad manoeuvrability has been improved in several areas. Parts of the rear axle have been redesigned, providing higher ground clearance and making it easier to tackle steep ditches and other obstacles in challenging terrain. On top of this, both the tractive force and the power steering have been refined, improving offroad manoeuvrability and increasing productivity. Harvester operators will also notice a large number of additional storage spaces, as well as practical finesses such as a portable lamp to better facilitate servicing.

Moving on to the heads, there is the new Komatsu C164, which is a perfect match for the Komatsu 951. This head is based on the same technology as the C124 and C144 models, with the stem held up by the feed rollers and the delimbing knives used primarily for delimbing. The head has four powered feed rollers and the Constant Cut function, ensuring an even cutting speed throughout the cutting cycle.

In addition to the new machine features, a brand-new service – MaxiVision – was launched as part of MaxiFleet. MaxiVision helps the operator to visualise the current state and conditions of the forest. Different map views provide the operator with data about ground conditions and the rest of the team’s production, enabling them to plan their work as efficiently as possible and with minimal forest impact. Since the service is cloud-based, updates occur in real time and any changes are immediately seen on-screen in the cab.

The 2020 models were launched in conjunction with SkogsNolia in mid-June.

Komatsu Forest launches MaxiVision, a new digital tool that helps the forest machine operator to visualise the state and conditions of the forest.

Different map views provide the operator with data about ground conditions and the rest of the team’s production, making it possible to plan the work as efficiently as possible and with minimal forest impact. Since everything is cloud-based, updates occur in real time and any changes are immediately seen onscreen in the cab.

With MaxiVision, the operator can combine maps of the area with the latest data on ground conditions into a single image and, at the same time, see both the own production data and that of the colleagues – all updated in real time. The work overview is a great tool for planning production and enables the operator to make well-founded decisions. MaxiVision also allows for effective collaboration between harvesters and forwarders as each team member can see what their colleagues are doing.

The MaxiVision service not only offers team members a good overview of each other’s work, but also helps to facilitate communication between operators. By sending messages to each other or marking particular areas on the map collaboration can be improved and the outcome likewise. This unmatched integration between harvester and forwarder provides an optimised workflow and increased productivity.

Komatsu Forest is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of forest machines. The company sells its products all over the world and is wholly owned by the Japanese company Komatsu Ltd.

Following on from stories in last week’s Friday Offcuts issue highlighting mill closures and the cutting of shifts at sawmills across B.C.

Western Forest Products Inc. is the latest lumber producer to announce temporary production curtailments to deal with challenging market conditions.The Vancouver-based company says it will reduce output at three of its sawmills to align volumes with customer demand.

The Duke Point facility will be affected for two weeks and its Saltair sawmill for one week in June. Operating levels at its Chemainus sawmill will be reduced to 80 hours per week from 120 hours per week. The curtailment is expected to reduce production by about 15 million board feet.

Western has an annual lumber capacity in excess of 1.1 billion board feet at facilities in British Columbia and Washington State. West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., Interfor, Canfor and Tolko have previously announced similar curtailments.

“The challenge of weak markets is compounded by the disproportionate impacts of softwood lumber duties on high-value products, including Western Red Cedar,” said Western president and CEO Don Demens.

On Monday, Canfor announced it will be curtailing operations at all British Columbia sawmills, except WynnWood. According to the company, the majority of mills will be curtailed for two weeks with extended curtailments of four weeks at Houston and Plateau, and six weeks at Mackenzie. Norbord Inc. also announced on Tuesday its intention to indefinitely curtail production in 100 Mile House, British Columbia in August, 2019

Photo: Western president and CEO Don Demens.

The world-first two automated logging truck scalers, commissioned by Mount Maunganui-based ISO Limited, are now scanning logs at Port of Tauranga, New Zealand.

The Robotic Scaling Machines (RSM) give a faster, safer and more accurate measure of logs on the trucks and trailers than the manual process. Tauranga-based agritech company Robotics Plus designed and built the automatic logging truck scaler using materials from several local suppliers.

Robotics Plus co-founder Steve Saunders said he and his staff worked with ISO, which came up with the concept in 2017, and came up with a final prototype in just 12 months.

“This is a technology company working with a well-established local company looking into the future to actually solve these sorts of problems. I think we need a lot more of that in New Zealand,” Saunders said. The technology was now being rolled out across the country, starting with two scalers at the Port of Napier, then Gisborne and at Marsden Pt next year.

ISO Limited’s chief executive, Paul Cameron, said the technology offers huge health and safety benefits to staff. “The robotic scaler measuring process eliminates exposure to hazards and moves those people into a safer environment,” he said.

Cameron said the existing manual system used throughout the world requires people to hand scan the logs by climbing between trucks and trailers, taking up to 40 minutes. The robotic arm passes over the logs taking between three and four-and-a-half minutes, he said.

The automated process improves productivity not only for ISO but for the entire supply chain through to the port, and has created new skilled jobs, Cameron said. More than 200 trucks are processed through the site each day, so the machine offered a huge cost and productivity saving, as well as being far safer for staff, he said.

Cameron, who would not be drawn on the cost of developing the new technology, said the benefits to the industry “far outweighed” the costs.

Local suppliers, who contributed to the development of the RSM, were RFT Engineering (structural steel); Festo Linear (guides and controllers; SICK NZ (safety systems, distance sensors); FLIR (imaging cameras); Mulcahy NZ (laser cutting); and Gamman Engineering (precision machining).

Last month Robotics Plus snapped up two awards at the 2019 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, winning the Callaghan Innovation Hi-Tech Maori Company of the Year Award as well as the NZTE Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution for the Agritech Sector Award.

To check out a video of the new automatic log scaling, click here.
Source: nzherald, Photo: Andrew Warner

Deere & Company has invested more than 50 million euros in the Finnish forest machine business this decade. The latest investment, to expand the factory and increase capacity, is the biggest single investment in the Joensuu factory in John Deere Forestry Oy’s history. Implementation of the investment will begin in summer 2019 and it will be completed in 2021.

The investment will improve and expand the Joensuu factory’s assembly and test drive facilities as well as increase the component manufacturing capacity. The total amount of the investment is about 15 million euros. “This expansion will help us to better meet demand during strong economic cycles. The new space will also increase occupational safety and employee satisfaction,” says Factory Manager Janne Haapasalo. After the expansion, John Deere Forestry Oy’s production/logistics facilities will cover a total of 3.2 hectares.

GreenPark business park expanding
John Deere Forestry Oy has sold a plot east of the current GreenPark to the City of Joensuu. Joensuun Yrityskiinteistöt Oy will use the plot to build a new facility that will be used by John Deere Forestry Oy. The value of the investment is about 5 million euros. The new facility will be completed in June 2020. The GreenPark expansion will centralize the Joensuu factory’s logistics functions and further improve the logistical efficiency.

“Strong collaboration with the City of Joensuu and Joensuun Yrityskiinteistöt Oy, which manages GreenPark, as well as the shared desire to develop business in the region is of primary importance to us. The critical subcontractors operating in the immediate vicinity of the factory have a proven record of boosting the efficiency of our operations,” notes Haapasalo.

Further information:
Timo Ylänen
John Deere Forestry Oy
Tel. +358400639966
YlänenTimo@JohnDeere.com